What the Heart Keeps

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Grunts and groans accompanied the smoke and debris flying through the air as Layne rushed out of the cottage. He sprinted across the back deck until he reached the steps. Agonizing cries penetrated his ears from different directions. Six feet away, Captain Laveaux battled with a cloaked figure, but the sound hadn’t come from them.

Layne shifted his gaze to the woods beyond the backyard and stalled on the top step. He bore witness to the multicolored orbs and lights flashing between the trees. His tattoos glowed as the fire within him surged to life and a flame formed in his palm.

When his bond with Heaven warned him she was close, he glanced over his shoulder, to see if she had followed. Just as he expected, she hovered near the back door, clenching Adalyn in her arms. While he would rather have her, Adalyn, and their unborn baby out of harm’s way, he refused to fight with her about it.

She’d made a good point anyway. Someone could find their way inside the cottage. Ryker’s protective shield was good against kinetic abilities, but unless he was solely focused on the shield, he couldn’t guarantee someone wouldn’t physically break the barrier. Judging by the commotion around him, Layne assumed Ryker was focused on fighting.

Protecting Heaven was the ultimate goal, but Layne couldn’t sit back and allow his family, friends, and allies to fight alone. Besides, Heaven made him stronger. Her presence, though dangerous, would benefit him.

His thoughts crashed around him when the kinetic attacking Captain Laveaux screamed in agony. Blood gushed from his eyes and mouth before he collapsed to the ground. The victory was short lived when a group of five cloaked figures rushed toward the captain.

Layne shot a fiery orb at the group, taking out three of the men and leaving two for Captain Laveaux. His assault gained him the attention of another group, at least twenty kinetics strong. The instant they stormed in his direction, he glanced at Heaven.

“Take shelter,” he shouted. “We’re about to be attacked.”

As soon as she ducked behind the patio table, he found the group of kinetics heading toward him. Layne struggled to pinpoint each of their abilities, but three were forming water orbs in their hands, two formed some type of gas clouds, and one was creating a dust tornado.

About half the pack broke free and ran in his direction, but the flame in Layne’s hand rose higher. He cast a stream of fire into the approaching men. The sound of burning flesh sizzled in his ears. So did their cries. When a breeze blew the charred scent to Layne’s nose, he choked down the putrid smell and focused on the remaining kinetics.

Two Hydrokinetics hurled a round of orbs at him, and quickly formed more. Instead of colliding with Layne, another watery orb diverted their advancement. Garrett rounded the corner of the deck and glanced up.

“You okay?” He asked.

“I’m fine.” Layne paused long enough to cast several fire orbs toward the remainder of the group, then he shifted his eyes back to Garrett. “Where is everyone?”

“Most of us are fighting. Some of Captain Laveaux’s men have formed a solid perimeter around the property, but the majority of the focus is back here, where the attack began.” Garrett paused as two figures raced past the deck. The ground quaked as the breeze switched to a gale-force wind. The moment the treetops began to bow, Garrett refocused on Layne. “There’s Zeke and Jerry now. Spencer and Mason are inside the house, protecting most of the Seekers. Your father is on standby to guide any souls that are lost. Brooke and Ryker are taking anyone injured to your mother for healing. Kyle is helping their search and rescue by hiding them in the shadows. The last I heard, Nicholas was assisting another group of soldiers.”

It was just as they’d planned. Everyone was doing their part to assist in the attack, but there was still one person who needed protection.

Layne glanced back at Heaven who was peeking over the table top. Their eyes met briefly before he turned to Garrett. “As much as I don’t want Heaven in danger, I can’t protect her if she’s away from me, and she makes me stronger. But I need to get Adalyn inside.”

Garrett c****d his head in Heaven and Adalyn’s direction. “Give her to me. I can get her back to the house and rejoin you in a moment. You’re needed here.”

As Layne glanced around the property, more of the Fallen had neared the cottage. Both Zeke and Jerry took on the group, reminding Layne they were running out of time. What little reluctance he had diminished.

After he nodded at Garrett, he found Heaven and motioned her to join them. She didn’t hesitate. Fear pulsed in their connection the instant she left the patio table and ran to him. The second she was safe in his arms, a wall of fire formed behind them.

“I don’t know how many of The Fallen are here, or how we’re fairing in this battle, but we’re under attack. While I don’t expect you to stay with Adalyn, we need to get her to the house,” Layne explained. “Mason and Spencer are there protecting the other Seekers. It will be safer for her.”

Stroking Adalyn’s hair, he lowered his eyes to his niece, wishing he could be the one to make sure she was delivered safely to the house. She was his responsibility. Still, he trusted Garrett, and the Hydrokinetic had been right. Layne was needed here.

Heaven’s face pinched with concern as her eyes lowered to her daughter. She held her close and kissed the top of her head. Every ounce of her energy throbbed with fear and concern, not just for Adalyn but because of the battle unfolding around them.

After a few short seconds, she placed Adalyn in Garrett’s arms. “Protect her with your life.”

“Of course, my queen.” Garrett shifted his gaze to Layne. “I’ll rejoin you shortly.”

With a quick heel pivot, Garrett ran from the back of the cottage to the main house. Layne struggled to turn his eyes away from his ally’s fleeing figure. He wanted to make sure Garrett and Adalyn reached their destination without a surprise attack from The Fallen, but Heaven’s voice drew his attention away.

“We need to help Zeke, Jerry, and Captain Laveaux.” She pointed behind him. “There’s a large group of kinetics charging toward them. They’re still fighting the last group.”

Layne spun in the same direction that Heaven pointed and found his friends still battling. Though the ground was riddled with random bodies lying unconscious and bleeding, none of his allies were out of danger.

Captain Laveaux was holding his own against four of the kinetics. Three fell to the ground before they ever approached him. The fourth remained on his feet, hand outstretched toward the captain, who was mimicking the kinetics stance. Captain Laveaux groaned a second later. His face pinched as though he were in pain, but he maintained his position until the fourth kinetic collapsed to the ground, bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth.

Zeke stomped his foot, causing an earthy barrier to block the acidic spheres of a Sergekinetic and the explosive attacks of a Fragokinetic. Dirt and mud rose from the ground, absorbing the acid and flying debris. A moment later, he hurled huge chunks of rocks at the opposing kinetics.

Everything from dirt and leaves to grass and debris swirled around Jerry as he locked into his Aerokinetic powers. He raised his hand in front of him, releasing a gust of wind toward his attackers. The air, acting like a shield, blocked the glass shards a Hyalokinetic flung at him. When the shards reversed direction and fatally penetrated their maker, another kinetic joined the assault.

The new assailant spun his hands together as a dark green vapor formed and drifted in Jerry’s direction. The Hygrokinetic’s deadly mist approached steadily, but Jerry circled his hand in the air until a funnel resembling a tornado formed. It sucked up the vapor, along with the kinetic, and twisted further into the woods. The fact that it drew several other members of The Fallen into it’s vortex pleased Layne, that is, until he saw the platoon of kinetics Heaven had mentioned. They marched in their direction, at least fifty strong, locked and loaded for battle.

“s**t,” Layne mumbled. He stepped in front of Heaven and glanced over his shoulder to meet her gaze. “Stay right behind me.”

As soon as she nodded, he moved closer to his allies. Captain Laveaux, Zeke, and Jerry all fell back until they were a few feet between the five of them. Labored breaths echoed through the air, as did another groan from Captain Laveaux.

“Are you okay, sir?” Zeke asked their elder.

“I’ll be fine.” Captain Laveaux winced as he moved his shoulder in a circle. “Damn Myokinetics. He had every muscle in my body frozen to the point where I couldn’t move. Now my shoulder is throbbing.”

“You should go to Layla,” Jerry urged him. “She can heal whatever damage he caused.”

Captain Laveaux waved off his comment. “I’ll be fine. Right now, we’ve got a group of soldiers heading our way. Divide and conquer guys.”

No one had a chance to argue past that conversation. The group of kinetics let out a war cry as they rushed across the terrain, forming and launching orbs that coincided with their abilities.

Zeke drew in the energy around him, gathering sticks and branches of various sizes. They broke mid-air and formed into wooden spikes that he propelled toward their opponents.

Jerry released three more miniature tornados, guiding them through the small mob about to attack. He was about to form another when several water orbs raced past his head. Before Layne could turn to see where they had come from, Garrett zipped past him and joined Zeke and Jerry.

“Hold the line,” Captain Laveaux shouted as he planted his feet on the ground, shoulder wide, and raised his hands in front of him. He turned to Layne and said, “I can do more damage back here, while they take the brunt of the attack. Don’t worry. They’re ready.”

Over the last month, they’d done nothing but train night and day, to be prepared for an attack of this magnitude. Now it was time to put their skills to use, Layne included. He peered over his shoulder at Heaven once more and said, “You’re an Igniter, Heaven. You can make us all stronger. Focus on our energy and the positive energy around you. Fuel its strength.”

After she nodded, he leaned closer until their lips met. It was a short kiss, but he concentrated on the bond between them, pulsing vibrations of love through it to her. When he pulled away, he whispered. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Layne. Please be careful.”

He said nothing else. Instead, he faced the group in front of them and allowed the fire within him to consume his soul. His tattoos glowed brighter and pulsed in the same rapid rhythm as his energy. Flames formed in his hands, then he cast another stream of fire into the approaching mob.

A swarm of multicolored orbs raced toward their group as Zeke, Jerry, and Garrett countered with their powers. Jerry attacked several soldiers with winds so strong, they slammed into trees and fell to the ground. Garrett enclosed a group of five into a large water orb, slowly drowning the unsuspecting victims. The soldiers Layne hadn’t set on fire were bleeding from different parts of their bodies, courtesy of Captain Laveaux. Everything was going smoother than Layne anticipated.

And just like that, his thoughts jinxed them.

Garrett growled at something and hissed loudly as he stumbled backwards and grabbed his arm. He cast a wall of water for protection then hunched over in pain. After several deep breaths, he pointed to his opponent and yelled, “He’s an Osteokinetic. Take him out now!”

Layne didn’t have time to ask what happened when he spotted the kinetic responsible for Garrett’s pain. A bone manipulator. Much like Captain Laveaux, he stood behind the other group of kinetics who were attacking and stretched his hand forward, using his mind to inflict whatever pain he could to his opponents bones. By the way Garrett held his arm close to his chest, Layne assumed it was fractured.

“Heaven, I need your help,” Layne said. “Focus on our bond. I need all the power I can get to take on that Osteokinetic. He’ll break us all in half if I don’t.”

“I’m focused,” she answered.

As soon as fire surged through his body, he drew it into his hands and shot several boulder-sized fireballs across the yard. When they finally collided with the Osteokinetic, he stumbled back and struggled to put out the fire consuming his cloak. With his focus elsewhere, Layne raised his hand and aimed his palm at his enemy. Instead of sending more fiery attacks, he concentrated on the kinetic and the small group fighting in front of him. In a matter of seconds, each one of them combusted in flames.

Screams pierced the air.

Layne refocused on the other kinetics still fighting with his allies, but something moved in his peripheral vision.

The instant he turned around, he locked eyes with another soldier. The kinetic was only two feet away when he raised his hand in Heaven’s direction. A sudden force picked her up and slammed her against the cottage wall. Heaven winced at the collision and fell to the ground in a crumpled heap.

All the fear inside Layne escalated into full blown rage. He grabbed the kinetic by the neck and squeezed his throat. Layne’s tattoos pulsed erratically, then the intricate pattern of flames seemed to come to life and burn in a fiery dance.

He glared in the Gryokinetic’s eyes, searching for the soul of the monster he was about to destroy. This wasn’t Layne’s first encounter with a gravity bender. The last one had nearly brought him to death’s door when he and Heaven were trapped at the quarry. Unlike that time, he was twice as powerful and ten times more pissed off. The unfortunate soul in his grasp would pay the price.

The Gyrokinetic dug frantically at Layne’s hand to loosen his grip, but Layne increased the pressure. He forced his opponent against the cottage, five feet from where Heaven had landed. With the fury of a thousand dragons, Layne drew his hand back, splayed his fingers, then slammed his hand against the kinetic’s chest, over his heart. The impact caused a cracking sound as he punched through the Gyrokinetics chest, wrapped his fingers around his heart, and jerked out the still beating organ.

A gasp sounded from beside him. He glanced at the ground and found Heaven lying on her side, supporting her weight with both hands, and gazing up at him. As her eyes shifted between him and the heart in his hand, her face turned ashen.

The reality of what he’d done hit him like a two ton weight. He released the Gyrokinetic and dropped the heart on the ground, then he kneeled beside Heaven. No words would form even though he moved his mouth to speak. He lifted his hands to cup her face, but the instant he saw his blood-drenched skin, the flames covering his body died away.

As he slowly shook his head, his heart sank to his stomach. “My God. I’m turning into a monster. Just like my old man. Just like my brother.”

“No you’re not.” Heaven touched his face. “You were protecting your child and me. That doesn’t make you a monster. It makes you a hero.”

“She’s right, you know.” The familiar masculine voice snapped Layne out of the haze he was in. He moved his eyes from Heaven and found Nate standing a few feet away.

Not far behind him were Captain Laveaux, Zeke, Jerry, and Garrett. The battle they were embroiled in had ended, and from what Layne could tell, most of The Fallen had either died or retreated. What appeared to be a portal opened in the distance as several of The Fallen soldiers scrambled to get inside.

One cloaked figure in particular stood a few feet away from the opening, staring toward the cottage where everyone had gathered. Something about him seemed off, more so than the rest of The Fallen. Layne braced himself for another attack, but the cloaked figure finally turned around and entered the portal. It sealed a few minutes later, just before some of Captain Laveaux’s men, following in pursuit, could reach it.

Whoever the mysterious stranger was, it made Layne’s skin crawl. Perhaps it had been Bo blending in to observe the battle. Or, maybe it was… It didn’t matter right now. The Fallen had left, and Layne had other problems to face.

Ignoring the probing eyes of his allies, he focused on Nate instead. “What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were in hiding, getting rehabilitated.”

Nate stepped closer, nodding. “I have been, but part of my therapy requires that I talk to you and make amends. Nicholas and I arrived at the house just minutes before the attack.”

Layne narrowed his eyes on Nate’s face. So an attack happened minutes after he showed up? Was it a coincidence or a matter of convenience?

Things always had a way of working out in Nate’s demented favor. Yet a lot had changed since those days. Or Nate was one hell of a performer. His energy spoke of good intentions. At the moment, hope and concern vibrated within him, especially when he noticed Heaven on the ground.

“Are you okay?” Nate asked as he offered her his hand.

“Leave her alone,” Layne grumbled, swatting Nate’s hand away.

Nate hung his head in defeat. He released an exaggerated sigh then fished something out of his pocket. A second later, he tossed a handkerchief to Layne.

“I know you don’t trust me yet. Neither of you, but I swear I’ve changed. It’s important that you both see this for yourselves, which is why I’m here. Not only will I help fight The Fallen by your side, I want to prove I’m a different person, someone worth trusting, someone worth calling Dad.”

The last word he spoke struck a nerve in Layne. He lowered his eyes to his hands, wiped off the blood with the handkerchief, and considered what Nate was saying. Much like Heaven, Layne wanted to see the good in people, but he wasn’t an i***t either.

Trust, once broken, was hard to regain, and Layne couldn’t be a fool in this situation. Heaven, Adalyn, and the baby deserved more. They deserved to live.

Layne finished removing the blood from his hands before he faced Nate again. “Maybe one day you’ll get what you want, or you’ll prove this is all an act and you’re a master manipulator. Only time will tell. Until then, I’m not ready to have any conversations with you, therapeutic or otherwise.”

Once he pushed himself to a stand, Layne helped Heaven to her feet. “Are you hurt?”

“I don’t think so. Are you?”

“No,” he answered, “But I want Mom to assess you. I won’t rest until I know you’re both okay.”

“Garrett needs attention, too.” Heaven pointed in the Hydrokinetics direction. “Let her examine him first. I’ll go inside the cottage and lie down until she’s ready.”

Nodding in agreement, Layne glanced at Garrett, then found Zeke and Jerry. “Get Garrett to my mom and have him examined. Once she’s finished, ask her to come to the cottage to assess Heaven.”

“As you wish, my king.” Zeke answered before he grinned at Layne. He knew how much Layne hated being referred to as royalty.

After he, Garrett, and Jerry passed by, Captain Laveaux approached him. “I just got a text from Nicholas. The perimeter and grounds are secure. Any surviving members of The Fallen have fled. We’re on high alert, but safe for now. And if it helps to relieve your mind, the queen’s blood is normal. I just checked it.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Layne said. As soon as his elder sprinted off to the check in with the rest of the soldiers, Layne met Nate’s gaze.

“You should go check in with Nicholas and see if anyone else needs your help. We’re finished here.”

“Layne, please,” Nate begged. “You don’t have to trust me now, but at least work with me. Give me a chance to redeem myself.”

“We’ll talk later,” Layne growled, “but not until I’m ready.”

Nate raised his hands defensively in front of him. “If there’s one important lesson I’ve learned in all of this it’s to not allow hate to control you. Be better than me, Layne.”

“I already am.” Layne seethed.

Nate nodded. “You’re right. You are better than me. Hell, you’re even better than your brother. I won’t make the same mistakes with you that I made with him.”

“I’m not as naive as Dylan,” Layne said as he pointed to his chest. “Which is why I can’t trust you yet. If you want to make amends, you better not be bullshitting me or anyone else.”

“I’ll prove it to you in time. I have to because I’m counting on you to accept your heritage. You have to accept it.”

“And why is that?” Layne scoffed.

Nate rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his gaze to the ground. “Because it will take both of us to convince Dylan to return to the path of light.